Walmart has urged suppliers to remove hazardous chemicals from packaging in a new guidance document.

The guidance suggests suppliers to enhance sustainability of packaging in view of design optimization, resource sustainability and recycling support.

Under it Walmart requires suppliers should confirm priority chemicals present in the packaging and check whether to eliminate, reduce or restrict them. It drew its criteria list from Article 57 of REACH: priority chemicals are defined as those that meet the criteria for classification as carcinogenic, mutagenic, reprotoxic, persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT), or any chemical for which there is scientific evidence of probable serious effects to human health, or the environment, that gives rise to an equivalent level of concern.

To enhance packaging recycling, suppliers are encouraged to choose recyclable materials.

Preferred materials

• Plastic: PET, high density polyethylene (HDPE), polypropylene (PP), and recycled resins (ensure color is appropriate for recycling that specific plastic)
• Fibers: Paper/cardboard from certified responsibly managed forests or with
• high percentage of recycled content
• Metals: Aluminum and steel

Avoid:

• Biodegradable additives in petroleum-based plastics
• PVC
• Attachments, or make sure they can be easily separated
• Closures that are not the same material as parent package, or make sure they can easily be separated
• Inks that bleed in recovery stream wash water
• Adhesives that are not water soluble, or use as little as possible
• Paper labels on plastic packaging
• Black plastic

The playbook recommends that suppliers consider either using tools such as the GreenScreen List Translator, Toxnot or Pharos to determine priority chemicals, or having a third-party conduct an assessment such as Material IQ.

C&K Testing advises businesses to deal with due care.

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